maximal humanistic information sensation

a.k.a. Action Theory and Wabi-Sabi.

Consider this quote about how medical records on paper are sometimes more useful than ones in a computer database. This is in the context of how to design better ways for people to interact with computers:

"...through their direct embodiment in the world we occupy, the artifacts of daily interaction can play many different roles. As an example, consider the revealing studies of the role of medical record cards in hospitals (Nygren et al., 1992). From a technical perspective, patient record cards are simply carriers of well-defined information concerning the patient's diagnosis and treatment, and, as embodied on paper, present various problems: they can be lost, they can be hard to read, and they can only be in one place at a time. From this perspective, it seems both straightforward and beneficial to replace the paper records with electronic versions. However, in practice, such straightforward replacements are rarely successful. Studies of the failure of such systems show that the paper records are more than simply carriers of information about the patient. They carry other important information as a result of the way that they are used in the work of the hospital. For example, handwriting on the forms reveals who performed different parts of the treatment; wear and tear on the form indicates heavy use; and the use of pencil marks rather than pen informally indicates tentative information. To trained eyes, a card conveys information not just about the patient, but also about the history of activities over the card and around the patient. It can do this because it not only represents the world of the patient, but it also participates in that world -- it is an embodied artifact, and it participates in the embodied activities of those administering medical care."

(from Where the Action Is: The Foundations of Embodied Interaction by Paul Dourish)

This is a great example of the oft-ignored SUBTLETY of communication and embodiment of information. The attention to "wear and tear" has many parallels to the traditional Japanese aesthetic guidelines of "wabi-sabi" --- "wabi" meaning the individuality that arises through the construction of a unique object (i.e. doctor's handwriting) and "sabi" being the beauty that comes about through the process of ageing, the record of the object's history expressed through entropy (the condition of the paperwork).

This attention to detail and appreciation of the artist's "touch" and "expressive line" etc. is a big part of how artists talk about traditional media such as painting and drawing. I find it interesting that physical computing is coming around to appreciating this. It is a humanistic enterprize that values the complexity of the human mind and the power of our sensory systems.

Strange, because wabi-sabi is associated with a feeling of gentle sadness. After all, an awareness of entropy is the same as realizing that everything falls apart - artifacts, relationships, our stories, our bodies. There must always be an awareness of death, but it is gentle - this awareness is a counterpoint to life, not a kind of nihilsim or masochism.

So perhaps it isn't as much of a paradox as I originally thought. Isn't it nice to find new paths of hope?

Entropy can be part of life - wouldn't it be great if instead of every "quirk" that arises as things fall apart (i.e. keys on your computer stop working, your stove doesn't light right, etc...) became a considered part of the design? A good example of this is NEW SHOES. By wearing them they come to fit your feet and no longer give you blisters. And it is a theory of emotion as well - do people do not grow attached to old shoes and t-shirts and refuse to throw them away until they are smelly and full of holes?